Education for Freedom:
The History of Schools and Universities During Reconstruction
Christian K. Anderson, Ph.D.
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In the wake of the Civil War the United States entered an era of Reconstruction (1863-1877) to rebuild and reunify the nation. Education was a crucial element to establishing freedom and opportunity for formerly enslaved African Americans. This course will explore the role education played during Reconstruction, in schools and universities in South Carolina. We will study the political changes that made these changes possible.
This course will include visits during class to the Museum of the Reconstruction Era; two institutions founded during Reconstruction in Columbia, Allen University, and Benedict College; and sites on the USC campus, which was integrated during this era. It will also include a one-day trip to Beaufort (Thurs., Feb. 12th) to visit the Reconstruction Era National Park and Penn Center, site of one of the first schools created for the formerly enslaved. Students will help draft an exhibit about education during Reconstruction, which will be exhibited in the Museum of Education during the 2027-28 academic year. |
About the Instructor |
Dr. Christian Anderson is a historian of higher education who has done extensive work about the Reconstruction era at the University of South Carolina. He currently chairs the committee that commemorates the 150th anniversary of Reconstruction and he co-chaired the effort to bring a statue of Richard T. Greener to campus. He is Professor of Higher Education and Director of the Museum of Education.
Email Dr. Anderson with any questions. |